Kalva-Airoli Elevated Link Rail Route Lacks Co-ordination of MMRDA and Railways
The proposed elevated rail corridor between Kalva- Airoli is seen to be progressing in a slow pace, reasons behind the slow progress is said to be the lack of co-ordination between MMRDA and Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC).
The 1.8 km long elevated rail corridor connecting the Central and Trans-harbour railways between Kalva-Airoli was approved by the former Railway minister Suresh Prabhu in the 2015 railway budget. The elevated corridor was to be collectively carried out by MMRDA and Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC). PM Narendra Modi during his visit to Mumbai laid the Foundation to this new railway project on 24 December, 2016.
The proposed railway project of around 428 crores was approved in 2015, but due to slow pace of the work the project cost has been increased to 519 crores.
Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC) have begun with the construction of work in the Digha area, but the state and MMRDA who were responsible for acquistion of lands around the project area have failed in attaining pace in acquiring the land for the project. Shocking situation is that they hav not yet begun with their work for acquiring the land.
“The project was proposed to lessen the pressure of the Thane Railway station and lakhs of people were going to be benefitted because of the rail-route between Kalva and Airoli. MMRDA which is under the control of CM Devendra Fadnavis seems least interested in completion of this project within the stipilated time. Lack of co-ordination of MMRDA and the state authorities will delay the completion of the project.
-said Rajan Vichare, MP (Thane).
The construction of Railway station near Digha is in full flow but the acquistion of lands from people residing in the slums is yet to be done. The structure and management for acquiring lands is yet not finalised, 100 crores have been allotted for the acquistion of land. The project was expected to be completed by 2019–2020, lack of co-ordination might delay the completion of the project.
